It's not easy, but possible, she says.
The defense budget is to grow from 125 billion in 2024 to 185 billion in 2028. Svantesson is participating in the Folk och Försvar national conference in Sälen to discuss how it will be financed.
She believes that the government's policy to boost Sweden's growth, and the fact that the surplus target in the state finances will be replaced with a balance target, will provide a larger economic scope in the coming years. And that it is possible to make priorities.
We have shown that it is possible to re-prioritize without deteriorating other parts of society, says Svantesson.
She mentions that the government has reduced foreign aid as an example.
So it is possible to re-prioritize in a good way that citizens can also accept and think is good.
Requires three percent
The plan is for the defense budget to grow from approximately 2.14 percent of GDP in 2024 to 2.6 percent of GDP in 2028. NATO has a minimum requirement of two percent. But it may be raised.
The Center Party demands that the government drives a minimum level of three percent at the summer's NATO summit.
The question is not whether it is reasonable or not. It is absolutely necessary for our security, says C-leader Muharrem Demirok.
He believes that Sweden should be one of the countries driving for increased defense spending in NATO countries. He points out that Poland is one of the countries driving for three percent as a minimum level. For its part, Poland is aiming for five percent.
Trump demands more
Svantesson does not rule out that the future security situation may require higher defense spending and is following the discussions in NATO.
USA's incoming president Donald Trump said last week that European NATO countries should have a defense budget of five percent of GDP.
No one knows if it's a negotiating ploy, says Svantesson.
We'll have to wait and see until he takes office.
Svantesson notes, however, that five percent is not a level that has been discussed in NATO so far.
